Flexible metal casing for laminated springs.



B. B. LEUSTIG.

FLEXIBLE METAL CASING FOR LAMINATED SPRINGS. APPLlCATlON FILED IUNE 7. 1917.

PatentedSept. 18, 1917.

[rave mer.

g. "i I v 41 r a snare r nn n BENNO B. LEUSTIG, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

FLEXIBLE METAL CASING- FOB LAIJIIJIQ'ATED SPRINGS.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, BENNo B. LEUSTIG, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Cleveland, in the county "of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in protectiveand lubricating flexible metal casings for laminated springs, and pertains more especially to a flexible metal casing extending longitudinally and from end to end of a semi-elliptical laminated spring and serving as a covering for the top, sides and bottom of the spring.

One object of this invention is to produce,

, a casing -of the character indicated which is especially adapted for use as an inclosure for a semi-elliptical laminated spring.

Another object is to inexpensively reinforce the casing at points spaced longitudinally of the spring.

Another object is to increase the lubricant-holding capacity of the casing and to facilitate adequate lubrication of the leaves of the spring.

With these objects in View, and to the end of attaining any other object hereinafter appearing," this invention consists in certain features of construction, and combinations and relativei'l arrangement of parts, hereinafter described in this specification, pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In said} drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved casing applied to a semi-ellipticallaminated spring. Fig. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of a portion of said spring and casing. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 3-3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is a transverse section taken along the line 4-4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken "along theline 5-5, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 isa side view, largely in section, of an end-portion of said spring and casing Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken alongthe line 77, Fig. 6.

Referring to said drawings, 12 indicates the uppermost leaf of a semi-elliptical laminated spring, and 13 indicates the remain- Specification of Letters Patent.

ing leaves of the spring. The uppermost leaf 13 terminates at each end in a tubular member 14 forming a head on the spring and arranged horizontally and transversely of the spring, and preferably the spring is adapted to be attached at its heads 14 to a vehicle-body or mounted on the spring. v Thespring is reduced in size vertically in the direction of each end or head of the spring, and the upper. of adjacent leaves of the spring projects at each end of the spring in the usual manner ou'twardlybeyond the adjacent end of the lower of said leaves My improved casing extends. longitudinally of the spring and comprises two flexible sheet-metal strips A and B arranged to form a covering for the bottom and top respectively of the spring. Said strips extend longitudinally and from end to end and from side to side of the spring.

Patented Sept. 1l$,'1i8 ilt'. 4 Application filed June 7, 191?. serial 1W0. 173,265.

other object which is to be The strip A shown covering the bottom of the sprlng is provided-at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges a spaced longltudinally of the spring. The strip B shown covering the top of the spring is provided at each side .of the spring with downwardly projecting flanges I b spaced longitudinally of the spring. The flanges a and b of the strips A and B are arranged to form a covering for the sides of the spring, and preferably each strip has its flanges adjacent one side of the spring alternating with its flanges adjacent the other side of the spring. The downwardly projecting flanges b of the strip B cover the spaces between the flanges of the strip A. Preferably the space between adjacent flanges a of'the strip A and the outer sides of adjacent portions of said flanges are covered by a flange b of the strip B.- I

The strip B is provided intermediately of the side edges of each flange of its downwardly projecting flanges b with an outwardly bulging reinforcing portion 15 which is spaced upwardly fromthe lowerextremity of said flange and extends up. and

.down said flanges and to the upper end of said flange and thence inwardly from said flange over the top of the spring and forms "a lubricant-receiving chamber 16 which is arranged at the inner side of said flange and extends over the top of the spring It will be observed therefore that the strip B is'provided adjacent each side of the spring with outwardly bulging reinforcing portions spaced longitudinally of the strip, and.

chambers 16 adjacent one side of the spring alternate with the lubricant-receiving chambers 16adjacent the other-side of the spring. The reinforcing portion 15 of each flange b is preferably gradually reduced in width toward its lower extremity. To facilitate distribution of lubricant to difierent portions of the spring and to reinforce the casing formed by the strips A and B each cutwardly bulging reinforcing portion 15 of,

each flange b of the strip B and the lubricant-receiving chamber 16 formed thereby are arranged opposite the space formed between two adjacent flanges a of the strip A, as shown in Fig. 3.

On the casing formed by the strips A and B, adjacent each head 14 of the spring (see Figs. 1, 6 and 7) is loosely mounted a sleeve consisting of opposite end-portions D and d of a flexible sheet-metal strip having its central portion 17 extending circumferentially of the adjacent head 14 of the spring. The sections D and d of each sleeve are oppositely arranged and serve as a covering for the adjacent end of the casing formed by the strips A and B. The bottom section D of each sleeve extends transversely of the bottom and from side to side of the casing formed by the strips A and B and is provided at each side and externally of said casing with an upwardly projecting flange 18, and the top section 0? of said sleeve extends transversely of the top and from side to side of said casing and is provided at each side and externally of said casing with a down wardly projecting flange 19 overlapping the outer side of the adjacent flange 18 of the bottom section of said sleeve.

Means for preventing separation of the sections D and (Z of each sleeve comprise a bolt E resting on and arranged transversely of the top sleeve-section d and extending through the end members 9 and g of a substantially U-shaped metal strap which has its central member G engaging and extending transversely of the under side of the bottom sleeve-section D, and said strap has its central member G connected with each end member 9 by an outwardly bowed resilient member 21, and the resilient members'21of said strap act to retain said central member G and the aforesaid bolt in their sleeve-en gaging position, but obviously said resilient members permit a limlted movement of the sleeve-sections in the direction required to enlarge the space vertically between the sleeve-sections as desired to avoid interference with the flexibility of the sleeve, the

spring and the casing composed of the strips A and B.

- .Means for normally holding the strips A Fig. 5) rests on and is arranged transversely of the top strip B and is connected to and extends through the end members Z and Z of a substantially U-shaped metal strap which has its centralmember L engaging and extending transversely of the under side of the bottom strip A. The central member L of the last-mentioned strap is connected with each end member Z of the strap by an outwardly bowed resilient member 23, and the resilient members 23 of said strap act to re tain said central member and the connected bolt H in their casing-engaging position, but obviously said resilient members 23 permit a limited outward, movement of the strips A and B as desired to avoid interference with the desired flexibility of the spring and the casing composed of said strips. Preferably said central member L of the last-mentioned strap is soldered or otherwise secured, between the resilient portions 23 of said strap, to the bottom strip A.

My improved casing is'preferably provided, adjacent the inner end of each sleeve comprising sections D and d as hereinbefore described, with a nipple R soldered or otherwise attached to the bottom strip A of the casing preferably at a point between the adacent ends of two superimposed leaves 13 of the spring, as shown in Fig. 6, and communicating, through a hole 24 formed in said strip, with the interior of said casing, and said nipple is shown closed at its outer end, by a cap 1' removably applied to the nipple in any approved manner, andobviously upon removing said cap a lubricantsupply pump or device (not shown) can be attached to the nipple for supplying lubrioutwardly bulging portions 15 of the top strip B of said casing are preferably supplied with grease or viscous lubricant preparatory to the assemblage of the parts, and obviously by the construction and relative neeosao ;What I claim is- 1. The combination, wlth a laminated spring, of a flexible strip forming a covering for the bottom of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the 1 spring and provided at each side of the spring,

spring with upwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, and a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the top of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring, the flanges of the strips being arranged to form a covering for the sides of the spring, having outwardly bulging reinforcing portions spaced longitudinally of the strip.

2. The combination with a laminated of a flexible sheet-metal strip formfor the bottom of the spring ing a covering longitudinally and from side and extending 1 to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with tending longitudinally and to side of the sprlng and upwardly projecting flanges spaced and a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the top of the spring and exfrom side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with downwardly pro jecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, the flanges of the strips being arranged to form a covering for the sides of the spring, and the second-mentioned strip having outwardly bulging portions spaced longitudinally of the strip and forming lubricant-receiving chambers at the inner side of said strip.

3. The combination, with a laminated spring, of a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering and extending longitudinally and from side provided at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges s aced longitudinally of the spring, and a exible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the top of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with downwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring,

the flanges of the strips being arranged to form a covering for the sides of the spring, and the second-mentioned strip being provided adjacent each'side of the spring with outwardly bulging portions spaced longitudinally of the strip, and the outwardly bulging portions adjacent one side of the spring alternating with the outwardly bulging portions adjacent the other side of the sprlng.

4. The combination, with a laminated spring, of a flexible sheet-metal strip formand the second-mentioned strip longltudinally of the spring,

for the bottom of the spring ing a covering for the bottom ofthe spring and extending to side of the springand provided at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, and a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the top of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with downwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, the flanges of the strips being arranged to form a covering for the sides of the spring, there being lubricant-receiving chambers formed adjacent each side of the spring at the inner side or" thesecond-mentioned strip, and said chambers being spaced longitudinally of the spring.

5. The combination, with a laminated spring, of a flexible strip forming a covering for the bottom of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, and a flexible strip forming a covering for the top of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with downwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, the flanges of lubricant-receiving chambers formed adjacent each side of the spring at the inner side'of the second-mentioned strip, and the lubricant-receiving chambers. adjacent one side of the spring alternating with the lubricant-receiving chambers adjacent the opposite side of the spring.

6. The combination, with a laminated spring, of a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the bottom of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges s aced longitudinally of the spring, and a exible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the to of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the sprlng with downwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, the flanges of the strips being arranged to form a covering for the sides of the spring, each strip having its flanges at each side of the spring alternatin with the adjacent flanges of the other strlp, and each strip having its flanges at one side of the spring alternating with its flanges at the other side of the spring 7. The combination, with a laminated spring, of a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the bottom of the spring and extending longitudinally-and from side longitudinally and from side 1130 to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, and a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the top of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the springand provided with downwardly projecting flanges which cover the spaces between the flanges of the first-mentioned strip and have outwardly bulging portions.

8. The combination, with a laminated spring, of a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the bottom of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, and a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the top of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided with downwardly projecting flanges which cover the space between the flanges of the firstmentioned strip and have outwardly bulging reinforcing portions extending to the upper ends of the flanges and participating in the formation of lubricant-receiving chambers extending over the top of the spring.

9. The combination, with a laminated spring, of a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the bottom of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, and a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the top of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided with downwardly projecting flanges which are arranged to cover the spaces between the flanges of the first-mentioned strip and haveoutwardly bulging reinforcing portions extending to the upper ends of said flanges of the second-mentioned strip and reduced in width toward their lower; extremities.

10. The combination, with a laminated spring, of a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the bottom of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, and a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the top of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided with downwardly projecting flanges which are arranged to cover the spaces between the flanges of the first-mentioned strip, and each flange of said downwardly projecting flanges having an outwardly bulging reinforcing portion which extends up and down said flange between the side edges of the flange and is spaced from said edges and from the. lower extremity of said flange.

11. The combination, with a laminated spring, of a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the bottom of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, and a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for thetop of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and having downwardly projecting flanges which are spaced longitudinally of the spring and arranged to overlap the sides of and to cover the spaces between the flanges of the first-mentioned strip, each flange of said downwardly projecting flanges having an outwardly bulging portion arranged to form a chamber opposite the space between adjacent flanges of the first-mentioned strip. 12. The combination, with a laminated spring, of a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a cover for .the bottom of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, and aflexible sheet-metal strip formmg a covering for the top of the spring and spring, of a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the bottom of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, and aflexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the top of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and having downwardly projecting flanges which are spaced longitudinally of the spring and arranged to cover the spaces between the flanges of the first-mentioned strip, the second-mentioned strip being provided between the side edges of each of said downwardly projecting flanges with an outwardly bulging portion which extends over the spring, and the outwardly bulging portions of said down wardly projecting flanges forming chambers which are arranged at the inner sides of said flanges and extend over the spring.

ma am 14. The combination, with a laminated spring, of a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering for the bottom of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side 1 to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with upwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring, and a flexible sheet-metal strip forming a covering'for the top of the spring and extending longitudinally and from side to side of the spring and provided at each side of the spring with downwardly projecting flanges spaced longitudinally of the spring,

each strip having its flanges adjacent onethe spring with outwardly projecting reinforcing portions, and the reinforcing portions adjacent one side of the spring al- 'ternating with the reinforcing portions adjacent the other side of the spring.

15.' The combination, with a semi-elliptical laminated spring having one of its leaves projecting beyond the other leaves of the spring at each end of the spring and terminating in heads, of a casing comprising flexible metal strips extending longitudinally of the spring and into proximity to the aforesaid heads and forming a covering for the top, sides and bottom of the spring, and flexible membersembracing the aforesaid heads and connected to the said casing, the casing being provided between the central portion of the spring and said headembracing members with inlets at which lubricant may be supplied to the interior of said casing.

In testimony whereof, I sign the foregoing specification, in the presence of two witnesses.

BENNO B. LEUSTIG.

Witnesses B. C. BROWN, EMIL W, Knvz. 

